Members of Congress to Introduce Two Bills to Reform Federal Marijuana Laws

Historic Legislative Proposals Would Treat Marijuana Like Alcohol and Create a Federal Tax; Congressmen Blumenauer and Polis to Release Report and Establish Working Group for Sensible Drug Policy

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—February 4, 2013. On Tuesday, February 5, U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Jared Polis (D-CO) will hold a press teleconference to introduce two pieces of legislation that would reform federal marijuana policy. Representative Polis’ bill would end federal marijuana prohibition and let states decide their own marijuana policies without the threat of federal interference, and would set up a regulatory process – similar to the one for alcohol – for states that decide to legalize. Representative Blumenauer’s bill will tax marijuana at the federal level.

Additionally, Representatives Blumenauer and Polis will release a report entitled “The Path Forward: Rethinking Federal Marijuana Policy” which outlines their perspective on marijuana policy and provides some background on marijuana regulation and opportunities for action. The Congressmen have also established the Sensible Drug Policy Working Group which will provide a forum for members of Congress who are working on related issues and hope to advance legislation.

In addition to the Congressmen, participants in Tuesday’s teleconference will include:

Jesselyn McCurdy, Senior Legislative Council for the Washington Legislative Office of the American Civil Liberties Union (invited)

Bill Piper, Director of National Affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, moderator

Steve Fox, Director of Government Relations for the Marijuana Policy Project

Betty Aldworth, Deputy Director for the national Cannabis Industry Association

Erik Altieri, Communications Director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)